Cirrus@Austlit

'Being born on the wrong side of the tracks won’t hold her back…

'When her friend and boss asks her to step in and take over Novelteas, the trendiest bookstore in Brisbane, Karen Walker jumps at the chance to prove she’s got what it takes to do the job. She’s worked damn hard to get where she is and no one and nothing is going to stop her from achieving her goals. Certainly not the insane attraction she has to a man she shouldn’t want. Because Edward is the worst kind of kryptonite: a bad boy with a heart of gold.

'Being born with a silver spoon in his mouth won’t help him now…

'Being the chauffeur for one of Australia’s wealthiest men is exactly as boring as it sounds, but Edward Berringer is a man with a plan and an unshakable will to succeed. But success comes in many forms, including the burgeoning romance with the sexy, sassy manager from his favourite bookstore. He knows he should walk away and leave Karen alone, but when he discovers her tragic past rivals his own, there’s nothing he won’t do to protect the good girl who’s stolen his heart.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lucy Barton learned the hard way: rules exist for a reason. Seventeen years have passed since the devastating day she changed from a fun-loving twenty-three-year-old to the strictly controlled forty-year-old who uses speed dating as a way to scratch her itches without the inconvenience of commitment—not that anyone’s lining up to commit to a woman with only half a face.

'But when a chance meeting with her new boss, the enigmatic Toby Bennett, promises a wealth of carnal pleasure, she’s faced with two choices: use him to scratch her itch for a night, then cut and run as usual, or stick around for a while and learn the true meaning of control.

'Tobias Bennett has always known he was different. His towering height and quiet nature aside, it’s his need for control in and out of the bedroom that sets him apart from most men. While acting as wingman for his twin brother, he comes face-to-face with his new office manager, Lucy Barton.

'The wealth of scars trailing down the right side of her face and body intrigues him, but it’s her guarded disposition that has him itching to teach her a lesson she’ll never forget. One night in Lucy’s arms has Toby craving so much more, but she’s a no-strings-attached kind of woman. That’s her one rule. But Toby knows better than anyone, some rules are meant to be broken.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jane Melville has done some very stupid things in her life. Having an open sexual relationship with someone who turned out to be a thieving con man and left her standing at the altar—pregnant and penniless—was one of the worst.

'With her dreams of owning her own catering business down the drain, and the prospect of working at her family's patisserie for the rest of her life looking more and more likely, Jane is determined to make the most of her misfortunes. After all, things could be worse. Her baby daddy might have turned out to be the con man instead of the tall, brooding lawyer, Rafael Bennett. But just because she's willing to have a baby with the man doesn't mean she has to like him.

'Rafe Bennett's life has been one of responsibility and heartache. A long time ago, he was forced to give up the girl of his dreams, then made to bear the brunt of her anger for his trouble. In the years since, he has shared his bed with Jane Melville more times than he can count, snatching moments of erotic bliss whenever he can, but when she chose to marry someone else, Rafe walked away for good. Or so he thought.

'When fate thrusts Jane back into his life—complete with baby on board—Rafe seizes the opportunity with both hands. He lost her once and never truly got her back, but he's determined to change their fate. He knows in his heart that with a little persuasion and a whole lot of cake, everything will be different this time around!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'How far will one man go to avenge his last remaining family?

'Luke Hardcastle is a man on a mission—no one hurts his little sister and gets away with it. Eighteen months ago Claire Morse helped her sadistic aunt destroy Luke’s sister, so it only seems fair she return the favour now and help him destroy her aunt. And if holding the lease to her bookstore over her head ensures her cooperation, all the better. But the more time he spends with Claire, the harder it becomes to keep his head in the game and his heart under wraps. Torn between the two, can Luke get the girl and his revenge, or will he have to sacrifice one to keep the other?

'How far will one woman go to protect her new found freedom?

'Eighteen months ago, Claire Morse lost her job, her home and her self-respect all in one day. But the great thing about hitting rock bottom is you can only go up. Claire has worked hard to free herself from the horrors of her past and she'll do anything to protect her new life. Even submit to blackmail. But when being blackmailed means pretending to be the girlfriend of the tall, dark and wickedly handsome Luke Hardcastle—the man she’s loved from afar for years—she realises she's been given a chance at redemption, to fix the one mistake that haunts her still. And now she's had a taste of Luke up close and personal, how will her inexperienced heart survive when his thirst for vengeance is satisfied, and he no longer needs her?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Abigail Bennett has the worst taste in men. Her husband left her for another woman and her boyfriend was a liar and a cheat, so the last thing she wants is another relationship. Sex on the other hand—or her total lack of it—is an ongoing concern. But maybe Wolf can help? And not just in the bedroom.

'The annoyingly sexy, dominant author is exactly the type of man she needs to keep her ex-husband and his wandering hands at bay, but Wolf’s help comes with a price, and while Abby is willing to take him into her bed, she’s determined to keep him out of her heart.

'Wolf Adams has one month to complete his manuscript and get it to his publisher, or forfeit his substantial advance. Sent to the country on retreat, the city boy is certain the change of scenery will motivate him to finish the book. But when he meets Abigail Bennett, he enters a game of cat and mouse unlike anything he’s faced before.

'Unable to resist the voluptuous artisan, Wolf agrees to pose as Abby’s boyfriend and help ward off her ex’s unwanted attention, but only if she helps him finish his book. Because while he's happy to play her games, he has a few rules of his own…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

(Publication summary)